Conception

Prepare for Pregnancy more articles

Folate reduces risk of severe autism, finds study

folate

AAP and staff writers A new study that shows a link between taking folate around the time of conception and a reduced chance of severe autism could have implications for other brain disorders, such as schizophrenia.

Bar sells pregnancy tests in toilets

test pregnancy

An American bar owner has installed a pregnancy test vending machine in the ladies’ toilets in an effort to prevent prenatal exposure to alcohol.

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Can you ever be ready for a baby?

Girl with pram

Brooke Tasovac Before you get pregnant, you might have all the boxes ticked - with your career, home and travel plans all sorted - or you could be the ' let's just see what happens' type. No matter what your style, it can help to think about the emotional aspects of parenthood.

Trying to Conceive more articles

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): the facts

health factsheet

Staff writers Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can impact dramatically on a woman's health - especially her fertility. Here are the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of PCOS in pregnancy.

Myth busting

Can you influence your baby's gender?

stork baby

Monique Robinson The Shettles Method, the Chinese lunar calendar, following a special diet ... do any of these actually influence your baby's gender? We look at the research to find out.

Things I'm thankful for after my miscarriages

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Hannah Cherry I’ve come to realise there are positives in negatives - even in repeat miscarriages. So here are the things I'm grateful for.

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Fertility more articles

When kids don't happen

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Lori Carson I'll always wonder what it might have been like to have a child, but I know that no one gets to live out all her dreams. It's tempting to wonder "what if", but I think the choices we make are probably built into who we are.

Does this make you want to reproduce?

Pregnancy_TN

CANDICE CHUNG One UK company has started an unusual campaign to get women thinking about fertility - and it's not doing anyone any favours.

What not to say to a childless woman

Wendy Squires

Wendy Squires There are two words for the woman who announced it was a tragedy that I was chlidless.

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IVF more articles

Women warned not to rely on IVF as more give birth in their 50s

IVF

Melissa Davey, Philip Ly The number of Australian women giving birth in their 50s has more than doubled over five years, despite doctors warning against relying on IVF.

Discount IVF can come at a cost

IVF

JULIA MEDEW It has a lower success rate than the usual IVF process, but a new stripped-down version of the fertility treatment can cost less than half as much as the full service.

The baby makers

makebabies

Melody McCabe There are some very special people who have an incredibly important, highly stressful occupation: they are the baby makers, also known as embryologists.

Alternative Therapies more articles

Can acupuncture boost fertility?

Paula Goodyer

Paula Goodyer Acupuncture has a mysterious but positive influence on a range of hormonal problems, including polycystic ovary syndrome and the hot flushes of menopause.

Two mums, one dad and a baby

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Surrogacy has been a sleeper issue, but it's about to wake up, writes Brian Robins.

Surrogacy bill gives parents more rights

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Brian Robins - State Politics Parents of children born through surrogacy would be given full legal recognition for the first time, under a bill introduced in Parliament last night. Couples would also be able to enter into surrogacy arrangements abroad.

Adoption more articles

Evangelical overseas adoption

African orphan

AMY GRAY Meet the Christian blogger who wants you to contribute to her adoption fund. And she's not alone.

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Forced adoption apology: read the full speech

Prime Minister Julia Gillard during the National Apology for Forced Adoption, at Parliament House in Canberra.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard decried the ''shameful mistakes of the past'' as she delivered a national apology today to tens of thousands of families torn apart by forced adoptions between the 1950s and 1970s. Here is the apology speech in full.

The most beautiful adoption story you'll ever read

feet

AMBER ROBINSON In the mood for an uplifting story today? Read this tale of a baby found on a subway, then the amazing story of what happened next ...

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Tools

Conception App

Download our FREE Ovulation Calendar; EB EggTimer iphone app to track and record your cycle, symptoms, & temperature.

Ovulation Calculator

Increase your chances of getting pregnant by determining when you are most fertile with Essential Baby's Ovulation Calculator.

Blog

Conception Blog

Prue Corlette is Essential Baby's blogger-in-residence for the conception section - read her blog and tips for getting pregnant, the not-so-conventional way!

Forums

Discuss conception with EB members!

Are you thinking about trying to conceive (TTTC) or trying to conceive (TTC)? Perhaps you're after information on assisted conception or donors? Ask for tips or help others in the Essential Baby conception forums.

Download now: Essential Kids Activity Finder app

Got bored kids? Quickly find the best activities for kids wherever you are in Australia with the Essential Kids app.

Helping families keep up-to-date

We know you're busy. That's why we've made it easier to connect with us online.

Video: Convos with my 2-year-old

It’s a simple premise: a dad re-enacts the conversations he has with his two year old daughter – but the daughter is played by a grown man. And the results are very, very funny.

ISOFIX child seats finally approved for Aussie families

At last, a new Standards Australia revision now allows for ISOFIX child restraints.

Warning on NSW mumps outbreak

NSW Health has warned of a current outbreak of mumps across the state, urging members of the public to check their vaccination status.

Shower tragedy shows need for postnatal help

The tragic case of two young boys who died while their mother was only metres away has highlighted the need for ongoing awareness of postnatal depression.

Family cycling: options for carrying kids on bikes

Whether your child is on a special seat on your bike, is sitting in an attached trailer, or is 'helping to pedal' on a half bike, there are lots of options to keep everyone comfortable and safe while cycling as a family.

Why the Mirena IUD wasn’t right for me

For many, the Mirena IUD is a brilliant contraceptive option. For me, however, it was a dreadful mistake – and I've since learnt I'm not alone.

The babies who sleep in boxes

In 1938, the Finnish government began giving parents-to-be packages to help them care for their babies, supplying them with clothes, nappies, and a box that could be used as the child’s bed. Today, the tradition is still going strong.

The ultrasound you can touch

In parents’ ever-increasing search for the perfect memento of their pregnancy comes an ultrasound you can touch.

Losing (then refinding) my 'me'

Somewhere along the journey, someone removed my ‘me’ identity and replaced it with ‘mum’. Here's what I've learnt about finding my 'me' again.

The Kate Winslet double standard

Gossip sites went into meltdown over news of Kate Winslet's pregnancy to her third husband. Amy Gray looks at why people judged her so harshly while so many others go unscathed.

Discount IVF can come at a cost

It has a lower success rate than the usual IVF process, but a new stripped-down version of the fertility treatment can cost less than half as much as the full service.

It's time to pay our foster carers properly

Why do the ordinary people who go to extraordinary lengths to help give children a better life often end up out of pocket?

Lisa Curry trying for a baby at 51

Lisa Curry may be 51 years old, but she’s not letting that get in the way of trying for a baby.

Free: 'The First Year' ebook

Check out our new interactive ebook, part of the brand new SMH Shortbooks series, for free!

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Planning the perfect party?

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